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L I F JE 



OR, 



A POEM FOR UKION, 



BY 



GJEO. V^ISTDENHOFF. 






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Si'pl^^' 






LIFE : 



OR 



A POEM FOR UNION, 



BY 



GEO. VA-NDENHOFF, 

AS DELIVERED BY HIM AT St. LoUIS, AXD OTHER CITIES OF 

THE West ; and in 
ISTeMT York, 29th Jannary, 1861, 

ON A REQUISITION SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING GEKTLEMEN : 



Wilson G. Hunt, 
II. G. Stebbins, 
Wm. C. Bryant, 
J. H. Gerard. 



i 



% 



W. H. ASPINWALL, 
N LUDLAM, 

M. H. Grinnell, 

Geo. Bancroft, 

and others. 



August Bilmont, 
Dudley B. Fuller, 
W. F. IIavemeyeb, 

I. Q. Jones, 




printed for the author, 

BY H. S. TAYLOR, NEW YORK. 

1861. 



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LIFE: 

OR, 

p^w, Phuw^iv^, ^Mt^ mux ^Uixmt$. 



JSl. I>0E]M inon U]S10JS[, 



" Life," says the Drama's pliilosopliie sage, 
" Life's a poor player, that struts upon the stage," 
Frets, maddens, swells, the hero of an hour, 
Makes his last exit, " and is heard no more ! " 

This is but half the truth. — Some die and rot, 
Useless on earth, and in the earth forgot ; 
No fragrance floated round their living breath, 
No blessings followed them ; but like Macbeth, — 
Whose words I quote — they lived just long enough 
To prove their life was but a candle-snnff ; 
No virtues graced it, charities adorn'd, 
And, as they lived, they died, or cursed or scorn'd ! 
But there ai^e lives whose death is but the night 
That brings their starry splendors into light. 



4 LIFE. 

Kills envy's mist that hid them from our view, 

And shows their pure endeavours, lofty, true. 

Strong in the right, God and the truth their aim, 

Not tiirn'd aside by thirst for petty fame. 

Nor bending to the flutter of each fickle breeze, 

Their end to serve their fellows, not to please, 

Shunning street-triumphs and the loud hurrab, 

Content with praise that none can take away, 

Perpetual sunshine of their own clear breasts 

Where liberal thoughts have built their hallowed nests. 

And broad-eyed virtues, quick-wing'd charities 

Pour forth a strain of heav'nly harmonies! — 

Are such lives vain ? the pageant of an hour ? 

No ! no indeed ! Such lives enshrine a power 

That speaks like Inspiration from the grave, 

To stir mankind, lo guide, encourage, save ! 

Sach is the voice that rises from his tomb, 
Maityr to science amid Arctic gloom ; 
Such his, who, equal to a Nation's trust, 
Snatch'd Lucknow from the fiends of blood and lust,- — 
Good Havelock, foremost in the battle's strife. 
Gentle and pure in all that hallows life ; 
lie sleeps, with not a blemish on his name, 
A Christian Knight, devoid of fear or blame. 

And such that voice, which, to the ends of earth. 



A POEM FOR UNION. 

From Vernon's sacred heiofht bails Freedom's birth 
Wbere'er she springs; Columbia's noblest Son, 
The world's pure Hero, deathless Washington ! 
From his high seat, doubt not, his spirit sees 
Italia spread her banner to the breeze, 
Sees purpled tyrants, at her battle-cry, 
Pale and affrighted, from their strongholds fly : 
Doubt not, in his bright sphere, he joys to know 
The faith he liv'd for, triumphs here below, 
And smiling hails, as each new victory's won, 
In Garibaldi, Europe's Washington. 

But if immortal spirits sorrow know. 
For aught that vexes this poor world below, 
What grief must that majestic spirit prove. 
When he beholds the country of his love 
Torn by dissensions, tossVi in wild unrest, 
With fiends of discord gnawing at her breast ; 
And while Italia, like the parent dove, 
Unites her sons in brotherhood and love, 
We madly burst the bond our fathers signed. 
And scatter all its glories to the wind ! 
But shall such madness be ? In Heaven's great name 
Lift up your voices, brand with lasting shame 
The man who, swayed by interest, fear or pride. 
In peril's hour shrinks from his country's side* 



6 LIFE. 

What is the moral of exalted deeds ? 
Say, why the martyr burns, the hero bleeds ? 
'Tis honor, duty ! whose unwritten law 
Rejects all subterfuge, admits no flaw ; 
Let all else perish, these intact remain, 
No chance can shake you, no misfortune stain ! 
When gallant Wolfe, struck down on Abra'm's height. 
Wounded to death, still watch'd the changing fight, 
His soul just trembling on her heav'nward wing, 
What stays her parting ? — words that near him ring — 
" They fly, they fly ! " " Who fly ? " the warrior cries ; 
" The French," they answer him : " Content ! " he says, 

and dies ! 
So Perry fell, and from his bloodless lip 
Shot words of light'ning, "Don't give up the ship! " 
So Lawrence died with triumph in his eye. 
And bore to heav'n the crown of victory ! 
The one sole thought inspiring acts thus grand 
Was honor, duty to our native land ; 
All selfish views, all petty aims set by, 
One high resolve — to save, or with her die. 
When Anderson — whose valour history's page 
Shall rank with heroes of the olden age — 
Heard treason knocking at his country's gate, 
No coward scruples bade him " orders wait ;" 
He started up at duty's sacred call, 



r 

( 

I 



ERRATA. 

At page 6, line 13, f(>r Perry read Lawrence. Same page, line 
15, for Lawrence read Warren. Page 35, line 2, for Processioned 
read Processionised. 



A POEM FOU UNION. 

Ready, if need be, at liis post to fall, 

Or, nobly daring in a noble cause, 

To guard his country's flag, her honor, laws. 

A nation's gratitude, immortal fame. 

Wreathe deathless garlands round his gallant name, 

And every mother teach her infant son 

To act a patriot's part, like Anderson ! 



O heaven inspire the statesmen of our time 
With lofty thoughts, with constancy sublime ; 
\nd, spite of plots, conspiracies, and clouds 

■' dark dismay that now our country shrouds, 
Dtill shall she hold her undiminished sway. 
And, like the sole, imperial, orb of day 
Bursting through baffled mists, bright and serene. 
Amid her starry host still reign a Queen ! 

Be honor, duty then our rule aud guide, — 
Honor unblemished and a manly pride. 
Why should the Exchange in nicest honor yield 
To belted knight or victor on the field ? 
Do sword and plume an amulet bestow 
To shield the heart from all that's mean and low ? 
Is there no chivalry hut that of arms ? 
Must honor sleep till roused by war's alarms ? 



8 LIFE. 

The Merchant-Bayard is his Country's pride, 
And, " honor saved," may see all lost, beside, 
Nor blush ! Bad times may overtake the best ; 
Disgrace can't reach the uncorrupted breast : 
But trickery, cheating, petty arts of gain, 
Small lies and shams inflict a lastino; stain. 
A wooden ham or nutmeg's bad enough, 
Lard oil for olive, cayenne mixed with snuff, 
Old Bourbon, by a trip to France and back. 
Converted, rebaptised to Vieux Cognac. 
But what becomes of all commercial trust 
When cotton-bales owe half their weio-ht to dust ? 
Who can foretell where knavery shall stop. 
If fraud, uncheck'd, invade the cotton crop ! 
That mighty staple of tlie Countrj's toil 
And wealth, should be as free from taint or soil, 
As Caesar's wife from foul suspicion's breath ! 
Trade's life is confidence, — distrust its death. 

All may be brave and true, in store or mart, 
Not all are called to play a brilliant part; 
To plead like Choate, to don the sock or buskin, 
To paint like Turner, or to write like Ruskin ; 
Or, rarer still, to act heroic deed, — 
With Nelson conquer or with Warren bleed ; — 
To wear out shrinking life 'mid Arctic snows. 



A POEM FOR UNION. 9 

Where the long night no gleam of sunshine knows; 

In Nature's icy solitudes, to cope 

With danger, — patient, hoping 'gainst all hope, — 

To dare for Science, and for Science' son, 

Far greater deeds than sword and war have done : — 

O that such lofty courage should be vain ! 

A Nation's tears are ail that's left for Kane ! 

And yet not so ! the hero never dies, 
lie shines the Polar Star of Enterprise ; — 
Lights in our breasts the fire that kiWd Ids own, 
And tunes our manhood to a kindred tone ! 

Consistent effort wins the laurell'd crown ; 
Not turn'd aside by fortune or her frown ; 
Firm to the end go on as you began, 
Nor dwarf to pigmy when's most need of man ! 
Some, starting well, come early to a stand ; 
*' As hollow horses, rash and hot at hand " 
At the first burst make a great show and stir, 
" But when they should endure the bloody spur " 
For want of bottom, fail, and " sink their crests," 
Poor pluckless, worthless, broken-winded beasts ! 
Some hold on bravely half-way, through the strife, 
Then, by one error, blot out all their life, 
Make one false step, and in the dust they roll. 
Just as they felt most certain of the goal ; 



10 " LIFE. 

How few indeed the constant courage boast 
That makes the victor at the winning post! 

Whate'er tlie path we choose, we all confess 
" Our Being's end and aim is happiness : " 
But how to find it, there the puzzle lies : 
Could any sage a certain path devise 
Bj road or rail, to this great end, his name 
Would stand supreme upon the roll of fame, 
To old and young, a surer benefactor 
Than Godfrey's Cordial^ or the Pain- Extractor. 

On what small things a dayh delight depends ! 
Who'd bear the tooth-ache for the best of friends? 
Some canker lies at ev'ry pleasure's root ; 
What untold anguish in too tight a hoot I 
A staylace broken, or collapsed hoop 
Will make the sweetest- tempered beauty droop ! 
What is the secret true content to find ? 
'Tis in ourselves — a truly balanced mind. 
" Nil admirari" 's the Horatian rule ; 
" Nought to admire" we construed it at school : 
" Not to admire is all the art I know" 
" To make men happy and keep them so ;" 
So Pope to Murray gives it, following Creech, 
A bad translation of a foolish speech ! 



A POE]\I FOR UNION. II 

Not to admire 's an egotistic folly, 
Leading direct to gloom and melancbaly ; 
Closes the heart as well as shuts the eyes, 
And half entombs a man before he dies ! 
A.11 affectation is a fulsome thing, 
In peer or peasant, citizen or king : 
The travell'd pedant who parades his lore, 
Turns up his nose, calls everything a bore. 
And, — for the coxcomb has been sent to Rome, — 
Looks with disdain on all he finds at home. 
Affects to scorn what other men desire. 
Cries " Pish ! " and " Pooh ! " at all which they admire, 
Would not be seen on Common, Battery, Park, 
Unless, indeed, well muffled, after dark, — 
(For, to take pleasure in a place that's free 
To common folk would hurt his dignity !) 
Feigns to despise the glory of the great, 
Toadies the rich, yet mocks at wealth and state, 
Shuts up the founts of joy, to feed his pride 
By differing flat from all the world beside, — 
Sure such a man, howe'er his creed he gloss over, 
Is more of Dunce than of Philosopher ; 
Proud victim of a self-imposed ennui 
That genius apes by singularity ! 
Why not admire whate'er is worthy ])raise ? 
The wise man to all merit tribute pays ; 



12 LIFE. 

Wit, beauty, greatness, talent, Nature, Art, — 
To all which of God's goodness bears a part ; 
Knows wonder is an element of joy, 
So nurses the fresh feelings of a hoy^ 
Opens his soul to every pure delight 
Can charm his ear, his sense, his taste, his sight ; 
Eager each marvel of God's world to scan. 
He loves humanity, himselj a man ! * 

This genial sinrit be the aim of all, 
'Gainst hlues and ennui a perpetual wall ; 
Main-spring of health and rosy cheerfulness; 
And HealthJs the half-way house to Happiness. 
The healthy mind encased in body sane 
Is still content in sunshine or in rain : 
The sour dyspeptic, with lank, lantern-jaws, 
To cure his woes, must follow Nature's laws ; 
Whether from o'' er-iorought brain his sufferings rise, 
Or o^er-taxed stomach for a respite cries ; 
In either case, the liver ''^ sure to speak. 
And stamp its dent upon his hollow cheek. 
MuflBed, wrapp'd up, of every breeze afraid. 
He broils in sunshine, freezes in the shade ; 
Nothing contents him ; to his fretful brain 

♦ Homo sum ; humani nil, «fec. 



A POEM FOR UNION. lo 

Life is a burthen, everything a pain ; 

To him, all things a jaundiced color wear 

Cloth'd in the yellow livery of despair! 

So sure the body acts upon the mind, 

S«) close is health of each with each combined. 

Let Common Sense, kind Doctor, without fee. 

Just see your tongue and point the remedy. 

Eat good plain food, (not slops !) good meat I mean ; 

Eschew the fopperies of a French cuisine ; 

Good beef and mutton, that's the vulgar stuff 

That made our fathers hearty, brave and tough, 

Steel'd their strong sinews like an iron bar, 

In peace a ploughshare, and a sword in war! 

Eat slowly too ; and not at such a pace 

As if your jaws were entered for a race, 

But let the process of your mastication 

Be work'd on rule of ratiocination ; 

For sure, what takes so little time to stow 

Will need a longer settling time below. 

Nor gorge in silence, like a dog or cat ; 

The meal 's enlivened by a friendly chat ; 

A hearty laugh, too, stirs the diaphragm, 

And aids digestion of your beef and ham. 

Of dishes, too, avoid variety ; 

Think one a feast : as for sobriety, 
2 



14 LIFE. 

Shun early cocktails, juleps, brandy-smashes, 

Sure liver-bnrners, — liquid lighining-Jlashes ! 

Nor let ""fast friends'''' your complaisance beguile 

T' indulge, too oft, the ante-prandial " smile ! " 

" No drink till dimier " is a golden rule. 

And much drink ivith it proves a man a fool ! 

At most, you'll take a glass or two of sherry ; 

But 'ware Champagne or hock ! tho' pleasant very, 

They're gout's sw^orn friends, — e'en if you get the real,- 

And sham Cham-pagne gives pain that's not ideal. 

Then, if you please, indulge in a cigar : 
But oh, dorH chew ! Tobacco juice will mar 
Digestion, teeth, and give the breath a taint. 
Will shock your sweet-heart, make her almost faint: 
Then think what favors sweet and rare he loses, 
Who chews and chews, ivhen e\r to cheiv he chooses, 
And keeping up a constant salivation 
That floods the floor, (a vile abomination!) 
Makes " horrid stygian pools " around his scat 
In room or car, compelling ladies' feet 
To pick their way, as in a puddled street. 
Then take my counsel, (else, be sure you'll rue it) 
And, when tobacco tempts, dont't chew, eschew it ! 

And wo to him who keeps a constant strain 



A POEM FOR UNIOX. 15 

Upon that fine macbinery — the brain I 
It will not stand perpetual fret and toil, 
The wear and tear demand some drops of oil : 
Better, ten times, to let the dollars go, 
Than overtax man's noblest oro-an so I 
God gave us reason, to employ its powers 
In serious aims, and gild our leisure hours ; 
Man's be the sin, if Sampson-like, he pull 
The Temple down, and God's great gift annul ; 
Using the strength, that is our boast, our pride, 
To wreck itself, — a moral suicide. 

Youth seeks amusement as for light of day 
Pine flowers, and drink bright colors from its ray : 
AYho would condemn to shade the rose's bloom, 
Or bid it waste on darkness its perfume ? 
As well Youth's fresh impulsive Spring to cage 
And chill its Summer with the frosts of age ! 
Those sobmn Mentors who, with awful frown, 
Would put each popular amusement down, 
Bar whist, the opera, the lively dance. 
Send Waltz and Polka skipping back to Fiance, 
Were best take heed lest in their zeal to curse 
A harmless mirth, they drive their flocks to worse ! 

There is a time for serious thought, for prayer. 



16 LIFE. 

An lionr for pleasure and an hour for care ; 
The mind must have relief, relax, unbend, 
Or stupor, gloom, will be its dismal end ; 
Mere idleness is the high road to sin, 
The heart, all emjHy, lets the tempter' in ; 
Depriv'd of wholesome spur, 'twill fly to evil, 
And give itself to rum and to the devil; 
Well if the gallows-tree, or maniac's chain, 
Revenge not Nature and her outraged reign. 



The point to aim at 's mental recreation, 
The rock to shun is moral dissipation ; 
Plain Common Sense may surely draw the line, 
Without the aid of Schoolman or Divine, 
Between such pleasures as are lofty, purs, 
A cheat to grief, to weariness a cure. 
And such as, by their act upon the mind. 
Like midnight wine leave fever'd thirst behind. 



The elephant that stands upon his head 
And dances hornpipes, surely can't be said, 
With all his aptness for insane tuition, 
To be an intellectual exhibition : — 
And none Tm sure but very silly gabies, 
To woolly horses flock ov fatten'' d babies, 



A POEM FOFl UNIOX. 

Like Hampshire liogs that fatten for a prize, 
Until, for fat, you scarce can see their eyes,— 
Or living skeletons, or giant boys, 
Or any show where foolery and noise 
Usurp the place of common sense and wit, 
Makino- one blush e'en while we lauQ-li at it. 



Our thirst for false excitement is insane 
Of quiet, liome-felt joy, the blight and bane ; 
Keeps us forever in a feverish flurry, 
All race and stare, and fume and hurry-scurry, 
Fevers our judgment on events and men, 
And takes us back to leadinor-strino-s as^ain : 
To find new dolls to please the full-grown man, 
Searches each nook from Europe to Japan, 
Makes each fresh show a marvel to our eyes, 
And lifts a Lilliputian to the skies. 



'Twas graceful to receive Old England's heir 

With smiles and homage of the brave and fair, 

To give him welcome with a ringing shout, 

In which the People's liberal heart spoke out ; 

To wreathe all joys around his flying hours. 

Strewing his path with garlands of sweet flowers ; 

And send him to his home across the sea, 
2-H- 



18 LIFE. 

Delighted with a Nation's courtesy : — 
All tliis was well, was kind, was noble, great I 
But was it well each, little fact to state. 
Record his looks, his'sayings, doings, clothes ; 
What hour he went to bed, what time he rose, 
Tell how in dancing he turned out his toes. 
How oft he smiled, and when he blew his nose ? 
Confess such flattery might turn the brain 
Of older men, and make one born to reign. 
Reign hard, as if he reigned by right divine, 
Much as the Sun was made in heaven to shine ! 
And what becomes of this proud age's vanity, 
It's boasted taste, refinement, mere humanity, 
When parsons, pickpockets, peers, peasants press 
To see two boxers in a ring undress. 
And pound and pummel each the other's face, 
Till they have beaten out all nobler trace 
Of man's high birth, the image of his God, 
Leaving, instead, a bleeding, shapeless clod, — 
A sight to cause one's-slirinking flesh to creep, 
In sheer disgust, and to make angels weep ! 

Not such the pleasures that regenerate life 
With fresh'ning impulse for its daily strife : 
For though our life's a struggle here below, 
'Tis not a prize-fight, gladiatorial show ; 



A POEM FOR UNION. 19 

PlucJc's a good thing ; but, reft of reason's rule, 
'Tis a mere instinct of the bull-dog school, 
That bites and tears, and will not quit its grip, 
E'en if you cut its tail off at the tip ! 

The friendly circle and the sprightly talk, 
The social Tea, (no scandal !) evening walk. 
Or country drive, piano-forte, song 
From Trovatore, or " Miss Lucy Long," 
A trot or canter in the Central Park, 
Stroll in the Ramble till 'tis nearly dark, 
After the labours of the heated day, 
Will sweetly smile a summer's eve away. 
With winter nights, Lyceum lectures come, 
Some bright, some stale, few witty, most hum-drum : 
Give me the Lecturer that makes a dash 
At some new truth, not he that serves a hash 
Of old, odd essays ready to his hand. 
Like Jersey cider with a champagne brand ; 
Or stuffs the M. S. that he deigns to read ye 
With sweepings from the British Cyclopaedia ! 

Next, come the sprightly Ball, the gay Saloon, 
The graceful waltz, the sparkling Polka tune ; 
The gem-starr'd toilette, dazzling to the sight, 
The blaze of beauty radiant with delight, 



20 LIFE. 

The rushing tide of many-twinkling feet, 

That ebb and flow, advance and then retreat, — 

Dash, thro' the narrows, where the breakers meet, — 

Or, whirling in delirious motion by, 

The Angels, bless them ! seem as they would fly. 

Entrancing pleasure this, and harmless, too, — 
Unless its course too wildly yon pursue : 
Hot rooms, late hours, the waltz's giddy wlnrl, 
Repeated nightly, wear the roseate pearl 
From cheeks whose bloom began the season bright, 
To end it, wither''d hy a Polka-hlifjht ! 

Enjoy the Dance in measure, if you please ; 
And keep good time, and learn to dance with ease, 
Not like the Pilgrim treading upon peas ! 
What makes that Beau a favorite with each Belle ? 
The man 's an ass — hut then he 'polkas well ; 
So bears the palm from brightest Wit who throws 
His clumsy feet upon bis partner's toes ! 
Nor don't meet pleasure Avith funereal air, 
As if a solemn dut)^ called you there ; 
Gloss o'er your dulness with a smiling face, 
And " tho' you have it not, assume a grace : " 
You've dress'd for holiday, all trim and natty, 
Then pray be gay, good humor'd, lively, chatty ; 



A POEM FOR UNION. 21 

Don't leave your partner wholly to mum-chance, 
But, in tlie breathing pauses of the dance, 
Talk, entertain her with the latest news, 
The last smart book, or aught that will amuse ; 
Sink dollars, cut the store, — thd' trade red-hot-on, 
Forget molasses, flour, dry goods and cotton ; 
Let business lose its all-engrossing power, 
And give yourself entirely to the hour ! 

He who in mapping out a scheme of life 
Sho'd leave love out, — forget man's need of wife, 
Would ft worse artist prove than that poor wight 
Who landscape painted and left out the light ; 
Or she who when our Christmas dinner comes, 
Has made plum-pudding, but forgot the plums ! 

love connubial ! bliss without alloy, 
Ennobling passion, source of purest joy ! 
Thine the bright flame by liberal nature given 
To guide our souls with constant beam to heaven ; 
Purging our hearts with penetrating fire. 
From selfish aims and from each low desire, 
To youth lends ardour and to manhood power. 
Brightens our triumphs, cheers the darkest hour. 
Colors our hearths as with a sunlight glow, 
And makes of home a Paradise below ! 

Such blessings follow when we choose aright^ 



22 LIFE. 

Nor led by passion, vanity, or spite ; — 

For spite sometinties lias led yonng lips astray 

To answer "yes," when the cliill'd heart said " nay." 

Tho' marriages in heaven may have their hiith, 

Yet as their object's comfort here on earth, 

Bear this in mind, that all examples prove, 

No union's blest that is not based on love : 

The unloving maid becomes the heartless v>fife. 

Scatters in air the fragrance of her life, 

And joyless, hopeless, loveless, withers on, 

Weeping, too late, the double wrong she's done ! 

What weighs a tie that binds the hand alone, — 

Leaving the heart without a mate to moan ? 

What weighs a pledge if, ev'n while 'tis making, 

The affrighted heart shrinks from the leap 'tis taking ? 

What weighs a vow the lips let o'er tbem roll, 

With no responsive echo from the soul? — 

Bonds these to curse the wearer, not to bless, 

And stamp her suicide of happiness ! — 

The wedded union for its strength relies 
On mutual trust, forbearance, compromise ; 
A quarrel now and then may lead to words 
Not over pleasant, — matrimonial curds, 
That show there's thunder in the murky air, 
But sunshine soon returns and all is fair ! 



A POEM FOR UNION. 23 

Should every difterencc to disunion lead, 
The sacred compact were a broken reed ; 
Mutual concession is the saving plan 
Twixt State and State, as well as Avifc and man ! 

'Tis harder far to say what wife to choose, 
Than to lay down what wise men would refuse. 
I would not wed a slattern or a flirt, 
To be " choked ofi"" by lovers, or by dirt ; 
I would not wed a vixen or a shrew, 
With tongue of razor-edge to cut me through ; 
I would not wed a very ugly woman 
Unless her mind was something quite uncommon ; 
I would by no means wed a mere blue-stocking 
AVho o'er her books, all day would still sit rocking ; 
Or, pen in hand, rush wildly to compose 
While dinner spoils, or Tommy breaks his nose ; 
Nor would I ever give my heart away 
To her whose passion lies in vain display, 
A painted butterfly, now up now down, 
The talk of every idler of the town ; 
Ilalf of whose day is at her toilet lost, — 
A pretty doll, that to keep dress'd must cost 
Just twice as much as, rationally spent, 
AVould clear the butcher's bill and pay the rent. 



24 LIFE. 

See her got up in satin and brocade, 
Or deep in velvet 2^cinoply arrayed, 
Rush, panting, off to Fashion's fancy fair, 
To flaunt, be jostled, stared at and to stare ; 
Nor blush to meet the glances of the crowd 
With glance as bold, loud talk, and laugh as loud ; 
Proud as a peacock spreads her plumage gay, 
Disports her charms and chatters like a jay ; 
With wondrous power of contract and dilation, 
Adjusts each swell and gentle undulation : 
In her a miracle of art is seen, — 
She moves a mystery — of crinoline : 
While beaux, enraptured with her glances luminous. 
Doubt if she's more vo-luptuous or vo-luminous ! 
With flush of conquest all her bosom glows. 
It lights her eyes, her check, her very nose ; 
She flirts, she ogles, simpers, sups and ices^ 
Beau after beau to swell her train entices, 
Waltzes and polkas, till she's wearied out 
By the hard labor of the Gala-rout ; 
Or pale with envy quits the fading scene, 
Chill'd by the triumph of some newer queen, — 
With eyes bedimm'd, dull cheek and aching head, 
At four o'clock goes sullen home to bed ! 

But this can't last : not Hercules could bear 



A POEM FOll UNION 25 

The constant waste of pleasure's wear and tear : — 

The winter's routs are o'er ; soft Summer's smile 

Invites the fair one to recruit awhile ; 

Spreads out the treasures of Dame Nature's breast, 

And fondly wooes the truant child to rest : 

Rest ! comfort ! bah ! 'tis her delight to roam, 

She loathes the dulness of a quiet home ; 

So Pa and Ma to Saratoga's waters 

Are dragg'd to please four marriageable daughters ; — - 

Or off to Newport, or some calm retreat, 

AVhere life's sole end's to dress and flirt and eat ; 

(To dress for breakfast, — and, as I'm a sinner. 

To dress for bath, for lunch, and then for dinner ; 

The dinner o'er, to dress iox ijromenadey 

Full-drass, for evening, and ww-dress for bed !) 

Change their large house in town for rooms 

About the size of cells in New-York " Tombs ;" 

Fly the " hot city" for a fresher air 

And swelter coolly, up a hack three pair ! 

Rush with a crowd, luxuriate in quiet, 

Midst crush and hurry, scramble, row and riot ; 

For gilded misery pay a monstrous price, 

And vow the hotel's an earthly paradise ! 



Miss shines at breakfast, of her toilette proud. 

Light as a fairy in her muslin cloud ; 
8 



26 LIFE. 

Accepts a partner far tlie dii) at noon, 

Just as slie'd take one for tlie hall saloon : 

In liglit, loose robe disports upon the sea, 

As Undine graceful, and as Undine free ; 

Wliile her bold Triton lifts her in his arms, 

Proud of the burthen of his Nereid's charms ; 

" Teaches her young idea how to" swim, 

And, if she's nervous, bids her lean on him! 

Don't start ! all's right! you know 'tis in the ocean, — 

On land, indeed, she'd have a different notion : 

Salt water makes folks squeamish, I've heard say. 

But here, it acts in quite another way : 

And what, on shore, might shock a prudisli daughter, 

Papa must own's quite proper — in the ivater ! 

At night the polka and the waltz invite her, 
Just as in town, and here as there, delight her; 
Here, as in town, to triumph she aspires, 
And, wearied out, just as in town, retires : 
Looks in her tell-tale glass with hollow eyes, 
Marking her beauty's waning glory, sighs, — 
Sinks down to snatch, a feverish repose, 
And wonders that the men still "don't propose :" 
From year to year the self-same round pursues, 
And every season, vows of change renews ; 
Till beauty, health, youth, cheerfulness, all fade. 
And leave her withered, — a confirmed old maid ! 



A POEM FOR UNION". 27 

Not such for mc ! oivc me the charmino: creature 
Whose lucid soul speaks out in every feature; 
Whose beauty in expression rather lies 
Than rose and lily skin or flashing eyes ; 
In whom more elegance than mode is seen, — 
Like Milton's lady, " spotless, pure, serene," — 
Who seeks amusement in a moderate way, 
Enjoys a dance, does not despise a play, 
E'en at the Opera preserves her w^its, 
Admires the tenor, yet does not have fits 
Of rapture, roll her eyes, and thrill, 
At each new grace of cadence, roulade, trill ; 
Content at home, who likes a country ride. 
In quiet lane, with him she loves beside; — 
(For tho' admirers crowd, there's one alone 
From whose dear lips she brooks a lover's tone ;) 
Is not borne down by Fashion's whirling tide, — 
Good-Tastis the pilot that she takes for guide, — 
Beholds sweep by her, calm and undismayed, 
The painted pomp of pleasure's proud parade, 
Prefers a useful to a splendid life. 
And ripens, sweetly, from the maid to wife ; 
Welcomes her husband's friends, her ample board 
Crown'd with the best of fare her means afford, — 
Ever well dress'd, to please her husband's eye. 
His fame ne' er suffers from her vayiity ; 



28 LIFE. 

Ill friendship firm, to neighbors courteous, kind, 
Her face reflects the beauty of her mind, 
And, years beyond the date of passion's dream, 
Preserves affection, love, respect, esteem ; 
For all these feelings in her honor blend. 
As wife, as mother, sweet companion— friend ! 

Such is the mate I counsel you to choose. 
And having won her rather die than lose ! 

And ladies, when your suitors' list you scan, 
Be sure in choosing that you take a man ; 
No puny pupil of the Pelham school, 
Part ape, part dandy, and the rest a fool ! 
The fop \h2ii^^ puppy-fied by fashion's laws, 
Wears boots too tight, and having hands like paw^s. 
Will thrust them into gloves a size too small, 
(Better than this, to wear no gloves at all !) 
Outside of which, his wrists large bunches spread, 
" Cabin'd, confined, bound in," all swoll'n and red, 
Tightens his waistband till you'd, swear he laces. 
Affects strange airs of Ton, and calls them graces. 
Sheds o'er his head and dress a vile perfume 
That taints the air, and poisons half the room, 
Lounges, cigar in mouth, up bright Broadway, 
Or, at the fashionable hour of day, 



A POEM FOR UNIOX. 29 

Loafs at tlie door of tlie St. Nicholas, 

To cliafF and out-faco ladies as they pa?s, — 

Not with the " Gorgon, stony, British stare,''^ * 

But with the flippant, /as^Ncw-Yorkcr air, 

That's quite as vulgar and as hard to bear ! 

Who, witliout music's grammar, tasts or cai', 

Would fain to all an amateur appear. 

Nightly disports himself at opera, 

In ecstacies I (not knowing sol from /«,) 

Cries bravo when he should exclaim brava, — 

Who curs'd with hedge-hog hair, and vissage horse-y. 

Believes he shines a Cis-Atlantic W Orsay, — 

By dint of folly has found out a plan 

To make a monkey of what God made Man ! 

''Fine feathers make fine birds" 'tis said, and so, 
Some push the proverb further than 'twill go ; 
As if fine clothes upon a vulgar back 
Could give a polish which the manners lack. 
Nor finest linen, nor the glossiest hat, 
Glaz'd boot, white kids and trim cravat, 
Nor faultless coat, neat vest and pantaloon, 
Can clothe with dignity a low buffoon ; 



* " Gorgonised mc from head to foot 
With a stony British stare — " 

Maude. 

8* 



30 LIFE. 

Thormanbj's saddle, on a cocktail's back, 
Will never make a race-horse of a Lack ; 
His head, chest, limbs, ears, action, show, 
His want of breeding to the eyes that know : 
The tailor's art can't build a gentleman, — 
Good-nature, manners, education can. 

Politeness is good-nature under rule, 
The heart our text-book, truthfulness our school : — 
The supple spine, the ever-ready bow. 
The smile prepared alike for friend or foe. 
The quick assent, obsequious flattery. 
Implied by move of head, hand, ear and eye, 
The tongue that takes up every speaker's tone, 
Nor dares to wag with motion of its own, — 
These signs are but the crust of courtesy, 
A solemn farce, a mere hypocrisy : — 
Puff paste is nought, the fruit 2vithin^s the vie ! 

Who has not seen in every railroad car, 
Some fellow with his legs spread wide and far. 
With head recumbent, outstretch'd arms and feet, 
Engrossing to himself a double seat, 
While round and near him, anxious, weary faces, 
Husbands, and wires with children, ask for places, 



A POEM FOE UNION. 31 

With silent, vain appeal; tlie surly brute 

Looks througli tlie window, black, repellent, mute ! 

Ev'n in the Church itself, how very few 
Invite the stranger to their half-fill'd pew! 
How many leave him standing in the aisle 
With careless glance, or scornful, mocking smile, 
As if to venture to the House of God 
Without a seat eno-ao^ed, were somethino; odd ; 
Unchristian, vulgar, meriting reproof, — 
Something, in fact, from which they stand aloof ! 
It makes one smile, with scorn sometimes, to see 
What- notions Christians have of charity. 

Politeness in good feeling owns its spring, 
Nor spurns a beggar, nor insults a king ; 
To all with just distinction can behave; 
George Washington uncovered to a slave ! 



The manly breast, not subtly o'er refined. 
Instinctively is gentle, just and kind ; 
Ne'er wounds a friend, ne'er answers love with hate : — 
Slighted affection leaves its cause to fate ! — 
Not floods of tears, by sorrowing friendship shed, 
Can ope the grave or animate the dead; 



82 LIFE. 

Nor all the tributes weeping Senates pay 

Revive a Webster or restore a Clay ! 

Oh tliat they could ! How would our bosoms glow, 

With hope, with confidence, with joy, to know 

That hands and hearts so firm, and heads so wise, 

Stood at the helm to guide our destinies ; 

Soon should our trembling ship ride out the gale, 

Bound thro' the surging waves, with swelling sail, 

And, all her perils, all her struggles o'er, 

Float proudly in, with Union at the fore! 

Vain wish ! alas ! no saving hand appears 
To break the cloud and dissipate our fears : 
Rumors aff'right us, trade is paralysed, 
Distrust is bred by counsels ill-advised. 
Credit stands still, and every sign is giv'n 
Of such another crash as fifty seven ! 

Wlio can forget those days of panic fear 
When Wall Street shook, as if its doom were near I 
When Stocks came tumbling downward with a run. 
As if all things were tired of being done ; 
When Bears, elated, capered at " the Board," 
And baited Bulls, like those of Bashan, roared ; 
When timid capitalists " put the screw on," 
And trembled, as their gloves, or funds, they drew on ! 



A POEM FOR UNION. 33 

Then met our eyes " alarming sacrifice s'^'' — 
Of old, stale goods, well sold at any prices ! 
Our ladies, lured by ruin at the doors, 
Crowded the counters of the cost-price stores; 
Unconscious lambs to " sacrifice " they went, — 
'Twas they were sold ! and blind, on bargains bent, 
Squandered five dollars, just to save a cent ! 



And after all, this fact soon came to light 
We had been w^ell-nigh ruined by a fright ! 

But sure we're wiser grown than in that day. 
Shall panic fear lead us again astray, — 
And hurry us to rashness and to ruin, 
Deluded agents of our own undoing ? 
Fear's a bad counsellor ; what we've to do 
Is to stand firm, and to ourselves be true, — 
True to our country, — and we must pull through ! 
Firmness, conciliation, compromise, 
By wisdom guided ; ready sacrifice 
Of minor points that fetter either side; 
Crotchets and prejudice, distrust and pride 
Flung to the winds at once ; and in their stead 
Reason and law by patriot duty led ; 
Respect for settled rights, whose institution 



84 LIFE. 

Grew 'neatli the ^o-is of tlie Constitution, — 
Shall lull the roar of strife; discord shall cease, 
And Union flourish 'neatli the wings of Peace. 

Honor to old Virginia! lier's tlie praise 
Of standing steadfast in these troublous days ; 
And, mindful of the Statesmen she lias bred, 
True to the bond for which they thought, and fought, 

and bled ! 
may her "proud submission" to the law, 
To gentle thoughts her wavering Sisters draw ; 
So shall this threatening cloud be blown away. 
And sunshine light Iiiauguratlon-day / 

Not in the fashion is a dreadful crime, — 
As w^ell be dead, or poor, without a dime ! 
Slaves to this code, in manners, taste and dress. 
We ape each new device, each fresh excess ; 
Half of our lives in changing modes is pass'd, 
Each latest fashion wilder than the last; 
Nay some, content to make an outside show, 
With empty pockets, half-fill'd stomachs go; 
Just on the penny-wise, pound-foolish plan 
That, in New- York's reception of Japan, 
Spent half a million on a civic treat, 
Yet can't afford a well paved, well-cleaned street, 



A POEM FOR UNION. 85 

I wonder if the great Nizams we feasted, 

Processioned, cliampagned, balled and tvild-beasted, 

Were much iinpress'd with admiration 

Of our supreme civilization ; 

Or, if this thought thro' Tommy's noddle ran, 

What'' s fashion here were 7nadness in Japan! 

What bound to Fashion's tide ? It floods the street, 
It enters all we use, or drink, or eat. 
Invades our dwellings, regulates our clothes. 
In sickly perfumes titillates our nose ; 
Prescribes our friends, the houses we shall visit, 
The doctor to consult with faith implicit, 

(The tailor to employ^ the butcher, baker, 
The hatter, broker, e'en the undertaker ; 
Makes this day's beauty ugliness to-morrow ; 
I Nay, e'en our morals from its law we borrow : 
And lest our sins should leave us in the lurch. 
The AVorld provides a fashionable Church. 
To which the daintiest sinner may repair 
Nor fear contagion from a vulgar air ! 
And thus Relioion beinor fash ionised 
Is by ray lady weekly patronized. 

Be-hoop'd, be-flounc'd, French-laced, French-gloved, 
French-shod, 



I 



36 LIFE. 

Dress'cl to kill man, as well as pray to God, 
To Churcli sbe bends her twinklino^, little feet, 
— 'Tis but a step from fashionable street — 
Or, if too far, in easy carriage rolls, — 
The royal way to heav'n for genteel souls : 
Arriv'd, she sails, a picture to the view. 
Up the long aisle, to the luxurious pew ; 
Coquettes with heav'n while flirting with the world, 
Half turned to grace, and half to beaux unfarl'd ; 
Whispers a prayer, that list'ning saints may hear, — 
'Tis too ethereal for a mortal ear — 
Unclasps her book in gold and velvet bound. 
Now, thro' her eye-glass glances slyly round, — 
Now plants it on the Preacher's handsome face, — 
Now envies Mrs. Tomkin's Brussel's lace; 
Or if to close her eyes in sleep she seem. 
Think it " a seraph's lapse, an angel dream ! " 

Close in her wake, her husband follows too, 
Bound to do all his better half would do. 
In Sabbath suit unblemish'd by a soil. 
In Sabbath face unwrinkled by a smile, 
Sedate he walks in Christian virtue meek, 
His thoughts on heav'n and — business of the week, 
Arriv'd, he bends the head in silent prayer. 
And wonders — if the crops, will turn out fair ; 



A POEM FOR UXIOK 37 

To the groined roof lifts up his saintly eyes, 
And prays devoutly — Erie stock may rise I 
Sleeps through the sermon — but he does not snore^ 
That's iingenteel, — wakes duly when 'tis o'er, 
Gets up refreshed, smoothes down his glossy hat, 
Puts on his gloves and settles his cravat, 
Chats with his friends, is glad it does not rain, — 
And so ends Church till Sunday comes again. 
This is the way to Heav'n on a pillion : — 
St. Paul's was a religion for the million, — 
Aye, million millions ! all the human race 
Its large, encircling charities embrace ! 



But Paul, tho' sure, a tolerable preacher, 
Was by no means a fashionable teacher, — 
Far too plain-spoken for the upper Ten — 
His only aim to save the souls of men ! 



The sura is this, an earnest life's the plan 

Alone can give true dignity to man, — 

Earnest in faith, in hope, in labour, play, 

Earnest in every duty of the day, 

Earnest in love, earnest with foe with friend, 

Earnest to work our task out to the end ; 

And as for petty fripperies and modes, 
4 



38 LIFE. 

The tricks of fashion and its changeful codes, 

Rules of good-taste and self-respect obey, 

Nor care a doit what folly's rout may say ! 

In vain we read each year the Declaration, 

In vain we thrill at the July oration, 

Unless we dare to prove our minds are free^ 

Nor bound by custom's stunting Tyranny ; 

Fashion and folly baser fetters forge 

Than e'er were dreamt of by old, foolish George ! 

True Independence faithful to itself, 
Unawed by power and unseduced by pelf. 
Scorning to cringe to pedant or to fool, 
Or bow the knee at fashion's fickle rule. 
While just to others' rights, firm in its own, 
'Gainst vulgar clamor or a tyrant throne, 
Fulfils all duty, and disdains to sue 
In mock humility for merit's due, 
Anxious to please, yet scornful of the art 
That stoops, for int'rest, to a borrowed part, 
In form and mind erect — a double grace ! — 
Frank yet not rough, open in heart and face. 
In dress, in air, from affectation free, 
Charming by force of pure simplicity, 
To age respectful, genial unto youth. 
Despising falsehood, constant to the truth. 



A POEM FOR UNION". 39 

In conscience sensitive, alive to shame, 
Unwearied in the race of virtuous fame, 
Devoid of fear, not arrogantly bold. 
And prizing honor more than heaps of gold. 
To woe an anchor, but to crime a rod, 
Loyal to law, to Country and to God, 
To woman faithful, upright unto man, — 
These mark the hero, stamp the Gentleman, 
Give grace to action, dignity to life. 
Bear us triumphant through the battle's strife, 
And when at lens^th our sun sinks slowlv down, 
His parting ray shall gild our hard-won crown ! 

And for our Country, why should we despair ? 
God never made her great, and rich and fair, 
Saved her from perils in her early day, 
To let her sink in premature decay ! 

Tho' treason 's treason, and deserves the brand, 
Secession 's not disunion, understand. 
The erring child in sorrow may repent, 
Retrace his footsteps to his father's tent, 
And, wearied with his wand'ring and unrest. 
Find sweet oblivion on the mother's breast ! 
But, if rebellion madly shake the land, 



40 LIFE. 

Still shall these States, their laws, their Union stand ; 
Bequeathed us by our sires a sacred trust, 
We'll save them stainless, or be trod to dust ! 

The people's heart 's the country's best defence, 
Our safe-guard is the people's common sense. 
Think you the Union, long this Nation's pride 
Can, like a worn-out toy, be flung aside, 
The world's great wonder of a people's power 
Broke, like the flimsy idol of an hour ! 
No, no ! 'twas built with toil and blood to last^ 
Despite the tempest, spite the wintry blast; 
Firm in the people's heart 'tis rooted deep, 
Their hopes, aff'ections, dearest memories keep 
Perpetual vigil o'er it's cherish'd form. 
To shield it from the whirlwind and the storm ; 
Dark clouds may gather, thunders o'er it roll, 
And lightnings shake the earth from pole to pole, 
Still shall her flag stream proudly to the sky, 
Still shall its opening folds the storm defy, 
Still shall it shine a beacon light afar, 
Unrent, undimmed, nor lose a single star :- — 
Or, if one wildly, madly, start away. 
We'll weep it, like the fallen star of day ; 
Yet keep our course, united, sovereign still, 
Firm in the people's trust, the people's will ! 



A POEM FOR UNION. 41 

The world looks on ! with awe-struck, anxious eyes, 

Wond'ring if equal to your task you'll rise ; 

The hopes, the fears of all humanity 

Are trembling for your future destiny ; 

For them, 'tis much ; for you, 'tis everything ! 

'Tis country, fortune, fame, — all that can bring, 

Or weal or woe, ruin or high renown, 

Lasting disgrace, or an immortal crown ! 

rise ! assert yourselves, your sires, your birth ! 

With trumpet-voice speak to the ends of earth, 

Give to each haughty despot's wish the lie, 

Send hope to every friend of liberty ; 

Prove .that nor chance nor change your League can sever ; 

Prove that it still endures, and shall endure forever ! 



THE END. 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by George 
Vandenhoff, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for 
the Southern District of New Yorlc. 



